INDONESIA STRONGLY CONDEMNS ISRAELI AGGRESSION AT AL AQSA by Fardah

  Jakarta, July 22, 2017 (Antara) - In Indonesia, from the president to it's the people, many have strongly condemned the violence and blatant aggression committed by Israeli forces that killed three Palestinian worshipers and injured more than 100 others around Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in Al Quds (East Jerusalem) on July 21.

        For Muslims, Al Aqsa belongs to every Muslims in the world, not only Palestinians. Al Aqsa Mosque is Islam's third holiest site after Masjidil Haram in Mecca and Nabawi Mosque in Medina; the first qibla (direction faced while praying); and the second mosque to be ever built on Earth.

        Therefore, the Indonesian Government and people are always concerned over Al Aqsa Mosque, which is in danger due to Israeli occupation and blatant aggression.

        "Indonesia asks the UN, the UN Secretary General (in particular), to allow the UN Security Council to convene a session soon to discuss the Al Aqsa Mosque crisis," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said in Yogyakarta on July 22.

         The Indonesian government has also demanded Israel not to change the status quo of Al Aqsa compound that guarantees access to Muslims to pray in Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock Mosque.

          "Indonesia once again strongly denounces the restriction of prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque. Likewise, it strongly denounces the death of three citizens," Jokowi said at the Ahmad Dahlan University compound.   
   Indonesia has also urged that the OIC can immediately hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Al-Aqsa complex, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said.   
   Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, on July 19, had a telephonic conversation with the foreign minister of Jordan to discuss the situation in the Al Aqsa Mosque.      

  "Indonesia is concerned and at the same time condemns the deteriorating situation in the Al Aqsa complex and the shooting of Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, imam of the Al Aqsa Mosque, in East Jerusalem," the ministry noted in a statement.

        Sabri, the spiritual leader of Al Aqsa Mosque, was injured recently by a plastic bullet after praying outside the gates of the famous site, according to Palestinian medical personnel. 
   The government has also condemned Israeli forces who have restricted access to the complex and violated the rights of Muslims to worship freely.

        Furthermore, Indonesia has also urged Israel to restore stability and security in the complex of Al Aqsa.

       Indonesia has urged every party to exercise self-restraint to prevent the crisis from escalating.

        The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged Israel to revoke restrictions on the entry of Palestinians in the mosque compound, as restrictions trigger tensions.

        "We urge Israel to immediately revoke the restrictions on the entry of Palestinians to the mosque compound in an attempt to overcome tensions among Muslims," MUI Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan stated on July 20.

         The Israeli restrictions violate the UN Charter on freedom of worship in accordance with their respective beliefs.

         Meanwhile, MUI Chairman Muhyiddin Junaidi noted that Israel was currently testing the strength of unity among Muslims.

         Israel continues to exploit the internal conflicts in Middle East countries. The aim of the Zionist state is to expand Judaization in the occupied Palestinian territories.

         "The Zionists are exploiting the conflict in the Middle East countries in their efforts to eliminate Palestine from the world map," he stated.

          To this end, Junaidi called on all parties to apply pressure on Israel. The Indonesian government must also play its part in supporting the Palestinian efforts to gain independence and to liberate Al -Aqsa Mosque compound.

        The Indonesian delegation to the International Conference on Jerusalem Question has also condemned Israel for restricting access to the mosque, calling the measure a reckless aggression.

         Led by Indonesian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Husnan Bey Fananie, the delegation had encouraged the issuance of a Communiqué that condemned Israel for violating international laws and the status quo of Al Aqsa, the Indonesian Embassy in Baku noted in a press statement on July 22.

          Indonesia's delegation to the conference comprised of Indonesian Ambassador to the UN/Indonesian Representative Dian Triansyah Djani, and Counselor Minister of the Indonesian Permanent Representative in New York Achsanul Habib, among others.

         Djani revealed that frequent violation of the UN Security Council resolutions by Israel could no longer be tolerated.

         Israel's actions and others imposed in violation of the historic status quo and international law constituted both a blatant aggression against those who wished to attend the holy sites and an attack on the rights of the Palestinian people, the Communiqué said.

         The Baku Communiqué called on the international community to urgently reaffirm respect for the historic status quo and compel Israel, the occupying power, to rescind all measures violating it.

         Isra Muzaffar of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs provided an update on the latest situation on the ground in Jerusalem, saying at least 193 Palestinians had been injured and one killed over the course of the day.

         All gates around the Al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount compound and leading to the Al-Aqsa Mosque had been closed, with the exception of three fitted with metal detectors. There were reports of a hospital in East Jerusalem being raided, he revealed.

         Meanwhile, on July 21, thousands of Indonesian Muslims took on the streets in several cities, such as in Bandung (West Java), Solo (Central Java), Tasikmalaya (West Java), and Jakarta, to join simultaneous worldwide protests dubbed "Day of Rage" held after Mass Friday Prayers.

        "We want to let our brothers/sisters in Palestine know that you are not alone," Gaos Abdul Hamid, spokesman of the Alliance of Community to Save Al Aqsa (AMSA), said in Bandung, West Java, amid the rally participated in by thousands of people.

       "We demand the United Nations to sanction this human right violation and take the Zionist administration to court for their crimes and gross human right violations," he stated.

         The protestors also urged the Indonesian Government to take firm diplomatic means to protect Al Aqsa.

        In Jakarta, the rally was held in Al Azhar Mosque compound and participated in by a number of prominent Islamic scholars and preachers such as Bachtiar Nasir, Muhammad Arifin Ilham, and Nazar Haris.

         Among mass organizations joining the protests were Al Azhar Islamic Boarding School Foundation, Aqsa Working Group, Aspac For Palestine, Lazis Dewan Dakwah, KISPA, BSMI, ACT, Indonesia Without JIL, FLP, Spirit of Aqsa, KNRP, ADARA, Friends of AQSA, Rafah Islamic boarding school, Azzikra Council,  AWG, Khairu Ummah, Jakarta Synergy, PUI, Care for Hijab, Gemas, LMI, and Bidik Production. 
   They consider Israel measures to tighten its grip on Al Aqsa as a violation of human rights.

        Bachtiar Nasir, leader of the Indonesian Alliance to Save Al Aqsa Mosque (AIMMA), said the rally was able to unite various groups in support of Al Aqsa.

        "Here, we want to show that we gather here as a pile of bricks for an Islamic building, and we hope this pile of bricks could become the power that we could use to free Al Aqa," Nasir noted.

        Tens of pro-Palestine groupings and Islam-based mass organizations have been united in AIMMA.

         "We are united now in the Indonesian Alliance to Save Al Aqsa Mosque. Our hearts have been united by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala," he explained.

         The unity of Muslims is a power of Islam, Nasir stated. ***2***
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(T.F001/A/BESSR/A. Abdussalam) 23-07-2017